“Conflicts of Interest” is episode twelve of season four of Babylon 5.
A man approaches Garibaldi and says he got his message. It’s three weeks since the man, Ben, asked Garibaldi to find his daughter and all he’s had is silence, requests for more money and the same questions again and again. Garibaldi keeps saying the man’s name, and finally gets him to stop. Garibaldi tells Ben to turn around. For his daughter is there. Garibaldi hands over his bill and Ben says that there is a problem. Garibaldi wants to know what, as he’s never overcharged a client. It seems Garibaldi’s fee is for less than a third of what it was supposed to be. Garibaldi tells Ben not to tell anyone; it would be bad for business.
In “Racing Mars”, some men approached Garibaldi to see if he was willing to help them against Sheridan. By the end of the episode, Garibaldi was, as long as Sheridan didn’t get hurt. He felt Sheridan needed help (really, it seems like Garibaldi does). The leader, Wade, is currently watching Garibaldi. He goes away and speaks to another man. They are going to wait until it’s quieter then speak to Garibaldi. It’s time for his first assignment to see how sincere he is. If Garibaldi succeeds, he can move up. If he gets killed, well, they got the wrong guy.
Zack is meeting the captain; Sheridan has been thinking. Since he returned from Z’ha’dum he has been avoiding several hundred unpleasant things. With Delenn gone – in the previous episode, “Lines of Communication”, Delenn said she was returning to Minbar to prevent a civil war – Sheridan has no more excuses. Garibaldi hasn’t returned his link, identicard or weapon since quitting as chief of security. Sheridan wants to know why. Zack believes that the chief will come back sooner or later but the captain says that at the moment Garibaldi is not on the payroll and it’s regs. Garibaldi will understand. Zack says he knows Garibaldi better than almost anybody. When he returned, the chief couldn’t wait to get back on the job. It doesn’t make sense for him to just walk away. Sheridan thinks that if Zack waits for the universe to make sense, and the rush is because Sheridan doesn’t like the company Garibaldi is keeping.
Dr Franklin has just arrived back on station and enters the War Room, now the Voice of the Resistance. He tells Ivanova that the resistance is onboard – for now, anyway. Marcus is briefing the captain. Ivanova says that technically they are ready to go. They just lack power. ISN uses tachyon relays stations to boost the signals through hyperspace; it would take years in normal space. They can’t patch into ISN either. Ivanova can’t think of anything. Franklin suggests Epsilon 3. Ivanova agrees it’s the logical choice and anybody could see it in 2 seconds. She leaves to go to Epsilon 3.
Zack finds Garibaldi – the latter is currently enjoying himself helping people face to face. It’s more personal. Zack isn’t happy but asks for Garibaldi’s ID, link and gun. Garibaldi cheerfully hands over the first two. He says that he needs to gun for protection given his line of work. Zack says his gun is military issue though; Garibaldi can get a private license but he needs to hand it over. And his backup. Zack apologises but it’s regs – what was he supposed to say? Garibaldi tells Zack he could have said no. Yes, the captain would have sent someone else – but at least Garibaldi wouldn’t have to have heard it from Zack.
Later, Wade comes to Garibaldi’s quarters. He has a special job for him, one that shouldn’t be discussed in public. Garibaldi said he wanted to help; now he has a chance to. Wade wants to hire Garibaldi as an expediter and a bodyguard. Wade has a contact coming in from Earth and needs them bringing in without official records. Will Garibaldi have a problem going up against his own security team? Not now he won’t.
Ivanova arrives on Epsilon 3 and sees Zathras, who says that Draal is very busy. She wants to know what Zathras is doing here – Zathras says he was born here, he works here. What Ivanova meant is that, in “War Without End: Part Two”, Zathras was left in the past. Zathras sees the confusion. That was Zathras. Not Zathras. Which causes a bit of confusion. Zathras explains. There are ten of them. All called Zathras. With slight – totally unnoticeable – differences in pronunciation. After Zathras talks about how hard done by Zathras is, he agrees to get Ivanova more power.
Garibaldi gets himself and Wade to where new arrivals are entering on the station, before they go through security. Garibaldi handed over his station ID – but he made a backup a long time ago. That’s the problem with people who are really good at security – they tend to be really good getting past it too. Wade informs Garibaldi that his contact couldn’t make it. He sent his wife instead so that she could start learning the ropes in case she has to take over. Wade indicates the wife – and Garibaldi knows her. It’s Lise, the former lover of Garibaldi’s that he was so worried about in “A Voice in the Wilderness: Part 1” and “Part 2”. Lise has left her husband and remarried; her first conversation with Garibaldi is awkward to say the least. Things do not go as smoothly as they could; Garibaldi’s services are definitely needed. And something new crops up.
Sheridan is meeting Londo – and G’Kar. A little awkward perhaps. The captain mentions the attacks, and mentions the Drakh by name. Londo has heard the name before, a legend used to frighten small children. They were bad news but no-one has seen them in centuries. Sheridan believes they were on Z’ha’dum. Anyway, he wants to deploy the Rangers and the White Star fleet to help cut down on the attacks, and wants G’Kar and Londo to help. Because Narns and Centauri never agree on anything, so if they do, it will be helpful.